Software-defined storage (SDS) is an increasingly popular data storage architecture. In it, the provisioning and management of storage resources are abstracted away from the underlying storage infrastructure. Earlier, Anand Jayapalan had spoken about how traditional data storage infrastructure ideally comprises of disparate storage hardware along with proprietary management software. Such a storage solution resulted in a monolithic, inflexible architecture that binds storage operations to a particular manufacturer or device. It makes hardware replacements and data migration quite challenging.
When using traditional storage systems, physical hardware must be bought and added whenever the storage capacity runs low. Data siloed into multiple storage solutions may lead to data fragmentation, as well as a lack of holistic visibility across storage resources. When storage needs to scale up, it becomes more complex to manage storage resources across various technologies, and requires specialized skills and varied tools. As a result, the use of SDS or software-defined storage is becoming increasingly commonplace. In the case of SDS, a layer of abstraction sits on top of the on-premises, private, and public clouds, and can store data to deliver a flexible, unified and hardware-independent storage pool for discerning applications. Storage hardware can be upgraded and expanded with ease, with reduced capital investment and minimal disruption to operational procedures.
Organizations will no longer be forced to depend on proprietary infrastructure when using SDS. They can select any hardware device or vendor that meets their requirements, thereby avoiding vendor lock-in. Here are some of the prime benefits of software-defined storage or SDS:
- Cost-effectiveness: SDS solutions enable companies to effectively optimize spending and maximize the value of their storage resources. With it, one may use low-cost storage devices rather than expensive proprietary solutions and incorporate existing hardware in order to optimize storage resources and lower capital expenses.
- Hardware independence: SDS solutions ideally run on standard x86-based storage hardware, and remove the reliance on vendor-specific storage solutions. It provides companies with higher flexibility and more options for building their data storage infrastructure. After all, companies do not have to commit to a single vendor but rather are free to use multiple vendors for capacity upgrades on the basis of their current needs.
- Programmability: SDS comes with built-in automation capabilities that help companies to reduce operational expenses, manage storage resources and eliminate manual processes. Administrators may use a command-line interface (CLI) or application programming interface (API) to manage diverse types of storage environments and automation tasks. These tasks include tweaking performance, provisioning storage, and configuring policies.
- Improved scalability: Traditional data solutions tend to be limited by the physical capacity of the storage devices being used. As SDS has the capacity to effectively manage both physical and cloud storage, it becomes easier to scale to increase storage capacity and handle the needs of a new application or improve system performance. It also becomes simpler to scale out by adding additional storage devices if existing storage devices reach their maximum capacity.
Earlier, Anand Jayapalan had spoken about how SDS allows companies to move away from “one-size-fits-all” storage to a more flexible solution. It also provides flexibility to swiftly expand storage capacity in response to new business opportunities or challenges.
